Shopkeepers' grotto treat to boost children's charity

Sabelo Ncube set up the attraction in a gazebo outside Sabelo’s Independent Traders Co, on Badsley Moor Lane, on December 12 to raise funds for Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

He collected £625 in the first four nights and was hoping to reach at least £1,000 by Christmas Eve - but had already made more than £1,300 by today.

Children have been visiting Santa every night between 4pm and 7pm in a gazebo decorated with a tree, lights and presents.

Mr Ncube has two sons with heart conditions — Hanley-Jake (8) and Amari-Jayce (2) — who have both been treated at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

He said: “I didn’t expect to raise this much — especially in four days.

“There’s still a lot of people coming in every day — about 50 to 100 children each night.

“We do something every year — we usually decorate our house and we are still doing that, but people like to see Santa.”

Mr Ncube said visitors to the grotto could also see the Grinch.

All children who see Santa receive either a book or a pop-it toy, all of which have been donated by Mr Ncube.

Volunteers Ricky Johnson and Colin Grindle have been staffing the grotto.

Mr Ncube said: “They are really good and the kids love them.”

Visit https://gofund.me/31e1973a to make a donation.